Bach Studies

Indra Hughes at Bach's grave in the Thomaskirche, Leipzig

Through his organ performances, broadcasts, seminars, lectures and doctoral research, Indra Hughes has become established as leading scholar and exponent of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. In particular this work has concentrated on Die Kunst der Fuga (The Art of Fugue) BVW 1080. In January 2006 Indra had the privilege of studying at first hand Bach's autograph mansucript of the work at the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin. This formed the basis of Indra's research for his thesis for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Auckland, in which he presents a number of revolutionary new theories about the 'unfinished' ending of the great final fugue, Contrapunctus 14.

Click here to go to a new page where you can read the abstract and download the entire thesis.

As well as his academic work, Indra frequently performs Bach's music as both organist and conductor: he is equally at home giving an organ concert of Bach's music; playing continuo in one of the great Passions; or conducting choir and orchestra in a Cantata.